Media Release: Breastfeeding Remains Best Choice in a Polluted World

Schaumburg, IL (August 2003)-Breastfeeding
remains the best option for feeding infants, even as attention is focused
on the many chemicals that may find their way into a mother's body,
according to La Leche League International, the world's foremost authority
on mother-to-mother breastfeeding support.

The four specimens often
used to test levels of chemicals in the
human body are urine, blood, hair and human milk. This monitoring is
done
to determine levels of environmental chemicals in different geographical
areas. Any substances found in human milk because of this routine testing
are a reflection of the exposure in all humans living in that particular
area and not a statement about breastfeeding.

Scientific research shows
consistently that even in a world exposed
to so many chemicals, breastfeeding offers advantages which outweigh
the
risk of ingesting possible contaminants. Indeed, the benefits of
breast milk, which includes high levels of antioxidants, may prove to
be
essential to compensate for and outweigh the risks of toxic effects
from the
environment. Today the focus of scientific concerns is being directed
toward removing potentially toxic chemicals from the environment while
recognizing the value of human milk, the only source of optimal nutrition
for infants.

A discussion of this topic
is incomplete without pointing out the
well-documented nutritional inadequacies and detrimental health consequences
of artificial baby milk, which may be contaminated both as products
of the
same environment and through manufacturing. In addition, human milk,
unlike
manufactured formula, does not add to the ecological burden of the planet.

Human milk cannot be duplicated.
It is a living, changing fluid
which continually adapts to the needs of the developing infant.
Professional research demonstrates that breastfed infants have significantly
lower morbidity rates. In addition, studies show that breastfeeding
offers
significant immunologic, developmental and nutritional benefits.

La Leche League International's
Center for Breastfeeding Information maintains the world's largest collection
of studies on breastfeeding and human milk. La Leche League International
fulfills its mission of offering information and support to women who
wish to breastfeed by holding monthly meetings, offering telephone counseling
and on-line support, through educational meetings and by publishing
books and pamphlets on breastfeeding. For further information on this
or any breastfeeding topic, visit our informative Web site at www.lalecheleague.org
or call 1-847-519-7730.

Information on Contaminants and Minimizing Exposure

Routine monitoring of chemicals
in human urine, blood, hair and milk show
that environmental contaminants are present, not just in these testing
specimens, but in the fat cells of everyone living in the area tested.
Their
presence is a reflection of the substances that exist in a particular
community. This is a reason to eliminate toxins from the environment--not
a reason to eliminate breastfeeding.

Virtually every infant born
today already has a body burden of industrial
chemicals. Indeed, evidence demonstrates that babies are more vulnerable
to
transmission of substances during the prenatal stage than after birth.

While human milk has higher
levels of some persistent organic pollutants
than artificial baby milk, infant formula is not pollutant free and
has
been, among other things, associated with higher levels of heavy metals,
phytoestrogens and bacteria. Many well-documented studies demonstrate
the
health risks of formula feeding, including life-threatening errors in
the
manufacturing process. Human milk will never be recalled because of
manufacturer error.

There is evidence that human
milk with its species-specific optimal
nutrition and its anti-inflammatory agents, including antioxidants,
helps a
child develop a stronger immune system and other potential protections
against environmental pollutants and pathogens. In regard to organochlorine
compounds, a recent study in Pediatrics states: "Long-term breastfeeding
was
found to be beneficial to neurodevelopment, potentially counterbalancing
the
impact of exposure to these chemicals through breast milk."

The World Health Organization,
the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other
major health associations, overwhelmingly support the importance of
breastfeeding even in a contaminated world. Documented benefits of
breastfeeding include reduced incidences of the following: insulin dependent
diabetes, some childhood cancers, ear infections, upper respiratory
infections, obesity and other health problems. In addition, studies
suggest
that breastfeeding may have a positive influence upon the development
of
verbal and general intelligence.

It is impossible to reduce
exposure to all chemical elements. However, for
those who would like to reduce contact with chemicals especially before
pregnancy, and during pregnancy and lactation, the following suggestions
may
be helpful.

10 Simple Steps to Help Reduce the Level of Chemicals in Your Body

Avoid smoking cigarettes
and drinking alcohol since levels of
contaminants have been found to be
higher in those who smoke and drink alcoholic beverages.

Be aware in purchasing homes and buildings that have been treated
with pesticides for termites and/or older homes that might have lead-based
paints.

In general, eat a variety
of foods low in animal fats, remove skin
and excess fat from meats and poultry. Avoiding high-fat dairy products
may
reduce the potential burden of fat-soluble contaminants.

Increase consumption of
grains, fruits and vegetables. Thoroughly
wash and peel fruits and vegetables to help eliminate the hazard of
pesticide residues on the skin. When available, eat food grown without
fertilizer or pesticide application.

Avoid fish such as swordfish
and shark or freshwater fish from
waters reported as contaminated by local health agencies.

Limit exposure to chemicals
such as solvents found in paints,
non-water based glues, furniture strippers, nail polish, and gasoline
fumes.

Remove the plastic cover
of dry cleaned clothing, and air out the
garments in a room with open windows for 12-24 hours.

For those in the workforce,
attempt to avoid occupational exposure
to chemical contaminants and seek improved workplace chemical safety
standards for all employees, especially pregnant and lactating women.

Encourage other family
members to be sensitive to contaminant residue they may inadvertently
bring into the home.